Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva officially ends retirement, books March fight against UFC vet Juan Espino

Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva will return to fight fellow UFC veteran Juan Espino next month.

The Brazilian has had an utterly brutal last few years. Antonio Silva was famously released from the UFC after dropping four of his last five fights, losing to the likes of Frank Mir and Mark Hunt. Since his release in 2016, the heavyweight has lost five straight fights inside the cage.

Furthermore, he’s suffered knockout losses in the BKFC ring, as well as in boxing, and kickboxing. In late 2022, Antonio Silva announced his retirement from fighting but quickly returned. He later suffered a decision loss to Salim El Ouassaidi in June, and once again retired.

However, again, Antonio Silva announced his intention to unretire weeks following that bout. While the Brazilian has been quiet since his last announcement, he’s now signed a deal to return. On Instagram, Silva announced his intentions to fight fellow UFC veteran, Juan Espino on March 23rd.

‘El Guapo’ famously won The Ultimate Fighter 28 heavyweight tournament. In his brief UFC run, he scored victories over Jeff Hughes and Justin Frazier. However, he retired following a loss to Alexander Romanov in April 2021. Much like Antonio Silva, Juan Espino couldn’t be away from fighting and will look to defeat the Brazilian next month.

Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva announces March 23rd fight against Juan Espino

“I am very happy to fight against [someone I look up to] in my career,” Antonio Silva’s caption on Instagram read, announcing his return fight against Juan Espino slated for March 23rd. “someone who motivates me to be a better fighter and I admire. a fight full of respect where victory or defeat is not sought but to thank all the fans who have supported us with a great show.”

He continued, “I’m very happy to be fighting against a reference in my career, someone who motivated me to be a better fighter and I admire. a fight full of respect where we don’t look for victory or defeat but we thank all the fans who supported us with a great show.”

If Antonio Silva loses to Juan Espino next month, it will be his 13th defeat in a row. However, if the Brazilian manages to pull off the upset win, it will be his first victory since UFC 190 in August 2015. That night in Brazil, he scored a second-round stoppage win over Soa Palelei.

What do you make of this heavyweight fight announcement? Who do you have winning in this battle of UFC veterans? Antonio Silva or Juan Espino?